Money Money Money
Several prognosticators of travel lately have been saying that Americans and Canadians are getting downright giddy about the stronger dollar vs. the euro and what a difference that will make when they travel to Europe. In April, The New York Times said save money when you travel to Europe.
That means you’ll save more than $100 on four nights at a hotel that costs 200 euros a night, and a 28 euro train ticket from Rome to Florence will cost $37 instead of $41 — small change in some cases, but the savings add up over a 10-day vacation.( NY Times April 18,2010)
Travel in France
And the scenario has gotten better since April. I have a little gizmo from Windows on my home screen that dynamically shows dollar/Euro rates, and as I write, the euro is worth $1.21. That sure beats the $1.75 we faced when we traveled to Ireland two years ago. (The Canadian dollar has had a surge in strength against the Euro, also.)
However, rather than looking for cheaper destinations, as they might do in economic bad times, American and Canadian travelers are still choosing the tried and true destinations. The Times reports a 20% increase in sales of tickets to Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain.
All of which explains why Fodors.com web site has a useful new front page concentrating on Europe. Not only do they have links to all the useful information on their site–on-line travel guides, forums, and booking engines, but they showcase 60 quickie itineraries recommended by their travel editors. These trips, by rail, boat, or car, cover all the high points region by region. I like the way each trip includes at least one unexpected destination. And of course the site provide endless information about each of the individual places.
You can choose by region, or if you’re more into a particular interest–from drinking beer to sky-diving, choose your type of trip.
But Wait! There’s More!! Fodor’s has joined with A Traveler’s Library to celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) by giving away guidebooks to France. You’ll have to wait until July to find out how to win.
I’m assembling a small library of books on France to give away on Bastille Day (or actually the day BEFORE, since July 14 is a Road Trip day). So tell me, should one person get the collection of books about France–or should we share the love with one book per person for several winners? You can vote from now until July 1 on which way the contest should go.
Meanwhile, take a look at the To Europe campaign at Fodors.com, which lasts through June.
If you are wondering why I’m spending all this time talking about fodors.com, I do not profit from this discussion. I just happen to like their printed guides, find lots of useful info on their web pages, but am absolutely ADDICTED to their travel forums. If you have never used them, try them out! There’s a world of travel experience just waiting to help you.
The photos are taken by different photographers, both from Flickr, both used through Creative Commons license. Please click on the photos to see more of the photographers’ work.
Now vote.–One book or several?
And thinking about the Fodor’s promotion–do you like “canned” routes. Do you use them exactly or as a starting point, or not at all?
PDF Tags: Europe travel, exchange rate, fodors, fodors.com, New York Times, travel guides, travel routes, trip planning
Twitter: WanderingEds
says:
share the book love!
i love fodor’s. and i don’t like canned routes at all – with my disabilities, they don’t work, anyway. we wander and poke around and see what we love.
jessiev would like you to read..Book Review: Transformations at the Edge of the World
Twitter: travelnwrite
says:
I vote one book – spread the fun!
We also like Fodor’s but would never leave home without our Lonely Planet’s guide. The ‘routes’ are good training ground for getting used to a country or for those not quite comfortable setting out on their own. We prefer the paths less taken.
Jackie Smith would like you to read..Footloose in London – Part I
Twitter: colleeninca
says:
I haven’t been on the Fodor’s forums for years, because people would be rude and mean for no reason. Too many flame wars. Who needs that? I did hear they’re moderated now, so maybe it’s not so bad …
The http://SlowTrav.com SlowTalk forums (where I hang out) have always been moderated – rules include: ‘we will keep a good sense of humor’ and ‘we will be kind.’ Sounds a bit stuffy, but we’re really not.
I’m a “make my own route” traveler, although I admit that the “Top Ten” kind of places are popular for a reason. I like to see them ~ and then find my own Top Ten.
Twitter: pen4hire
says:
Colleen: I’ve run into a few nastys at Fodors, but FAR outweighed by the valuable advice. I can’t count how many things I’ve seen that I would have totally missed without the advice I got there. So I’m willing to just skip over the stupid and unhelpful posts which are a tiny minority. The other way that SlowTrav.com is better is you don’t get into those endless discussions of what Americans should wear in Europe. Right?
Twitter: travelwonders
says:
I think it better to share the books out for a place as inviting as France. Give more people a taste and encourage them to discover more for themselves. I’ve not been to the Fodor’s site for a while so you’ve encouraged me to take a peek.
Mark H would like you to read..Alicante’s Sweetest Escape: Jijona
Twitter: kerrydexter
says:
adding my vote for sharing out the books. like Mark, I’ve not been over to Fodor’s for a while, so you’ve encouraged me to take a look.
I think planned routes from guide books and sites can be interesting and have their uses, but I’m always following my own interests, which might include their recommendations, and might not.
Kerry Dexter would like you to read..Julie Fowlis:Uam
We thought about Italy for this summer, but it was just too expensive due mostly to the airfare costs. Then there is the whole issue of the volcano in Iceland which could make travel very difficult. We opted for Alaska instead this year.